Maraba Residence cry for power supply

Akim Oda, June 10, GNA - About 3,000 residents of Maraba, a suburb of Akim Oda, have threatened to boycott the December general elections unless the area is connected with the national electricity grid. They have also served notice to embark on a series of demonstrations to press home their demands.

At a press conference held on Thursday, a spokesman drew attention to the plight the facing the people and noted with concern that the absence of power supply in the area for the past years 13 years was adversely affecting socio-economic development of the area.

He cited, for example that a bakery in the community was about to close down and lay off about 50 of its workforce.

Similarly, a gas plant, which serves the area and its environs, was also in the process of being shut down due to high overhead cost in operating the plant with a generator.

The people said since then, the ECG was able to procure poles for electrification projects at areas such as Akim Manso and Akim Achiase, "leaving us behind to continue to live in total darkness."

When the GNA contacted the Deputy Manager of the Akim Oda District of the ECG, Mr Mac Donald, he appealed to the people to exercise restraint, adding that efforts were being made to supply them with power soon.